Royals Rumblings – News for March 26, 2025

MLB.com’s Anne Rogers has some huge questions surrounding the Kansas City Royals’ “Great Unknown” in 2025.

The Royals weren’t able to bring in the middle-of-the-order bat they wanted this offseason, so the pressure is on for MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe to improve from a year ago and provide a power threat in the fifth and sixth spots. Can Maikel Garcia take the next step in his career, or will he be relegated to a utility role? Will Michael Massey stay on the field and deepen the lineup? As we saw at the end of 2024, even the stars struggle from time to time — so who will step up when the Royals need it the most?

Rogers also looks at the (likely) Royals Opening Day roster, including an update on first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino.

Pasquantino suffered a Grade 1-plus right hamstring strain on Saturday, and he’s doing everything he can to be ready for Thursday. After good progress with his work and rehab with the Royals in Arlington (where they played two exhibition games against the Rangers), the club will see how Pasquantino responds to Wednesday’s workout before making the final decision.

The Kansas City Business Journal refutes a rumored location amid the resurgence of rumors about the Royals’ potential home.

A number of local media outlets, including the Kansas City Business Journal, The Kansas City Star, KSHB 41 and FOX4 have reported that the Royals were considering a potential stadium site near 117th Street and Nall Avenue on the Aspiria campus in Overland Park. Wichitabased Occidental Management owns, manages and leases the 207- acre mixed-use office park. “There is a lot of speculation out there. This is just a rumor, and we are not talking with the Royals about moving to the Aspiria campus,” Occidental President Chad Stafford said in a release.

KMBC’s Jackson Kurtz talks about the rumored Royals stadium location with local business owners and managers.

“Down here at first I was a little opposed, but now I do think it would work,” said Tyler Billington. “There’s a lot of space over there. I think they could create the parking.” While speculation grows, many fans just want a decision. “I just wanna know where we’ll be watching the Royals moving forward,” Billington said. “I’m excited to see where they’re gonna build.”

FanGraphs’ Jay Jaffe talks about Mark Canha and Manuel Margot finding a new home quickly in the AL Central.

Canha and Margot have their limitations even when things are going well, and things didn’t go great for them last year. Yet both have proven to be productive role players for contenders in recent years, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that they’re each getting another chance with a team hoping to be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

MLB’s starting pitcher power rankings have southpaw Cole Ragans sitting sixth ahead of Opening Day.

It was a turbulent journey for Ragans on his way to becoming an ace, one that included multiple Tommy John surgeries and a June 2023 trade from Texas to Kansas City. But now he’s arrived. In his first full season as a Major League starter, Ragans made the 2024 AL All-Star team and struck out 223 batters with a 3.14 ERA as a key piece atop the rotation of a surprising playoff team. He finished fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting, and figures to have a shot to go even higher this year.

Royals Data Dugout lists some of Kansas City’s Statcast standouts from spring training.

Inside the Crowns’ David Lesky rattles off his hot takes ahead of the Royals starting their season. [$]

Into the Fountains’ Craig Brown looks at some notable players in Baseball Savant’s new batting stance data.

Kris Bubic looked stellar in the exhibition finale against the Texas Rangers.

Heading to Thursday’s game? Check out the weather from KCTV 5.

The Royals and Audacy announce a multi-year extension, keeping Kansas City baseball on Audacy’s “96.5 The Fan.”

Kansas City Star’s Lisa Gutierrez writes about Royals players’ spouses and children heading to Kansas City after spring training.

Pasquantino partners with Boulevard Brewing Company.

FanGraphs’ Paul Sporer ranks baseball’s starting rotations just 16-30. They have two AL Central teams, the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox, in the bottom four.

The Houston Astros promoted prospect Cam Smith to the Opening Day roster, and the video is worth a watch. Or, just watch it if you need a cry.

Awful Announcing’s Drew Lerner makes a good point about MLB missing a big opportunity in scheduling Opening Day.

The Seattle Mariners extended Gold Glove catcher Cal Raleigh on a six-year, $105 million deal.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery is set for Tommy John surgery before Opening Day.

Those injury concerns and rising issues around MLB have no clear and concise solution.

Quarterback Russell Wilson joins the New York Giants on a one-year deal.

Unseasonable heat has Phoenix facing record-breaking heat.

Napster is still apparently worth money in 2025, after a $207 million sale.

The hunt for two otters continues after Louie and Ophelia escaped from their Wisconsin zoo.

Today’s song is Game I Can’t Win by crooner Charley Crockett.